Zayed University kicks off innovation week

Zayed University celebrates innovation week with an array of activities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses

As part of the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy launched in October last year by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Zayed University celebrated innovation week with an array of activities in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses.

The UAE innovation week, which aims to celebrate the best ideas on innovation from the spectrum of government and private sectors, started yesterday (Sunday) and will run until November 26 at Zayed University.

Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, inaugurated the innovation week at Zayed University in Dubai campus yesterday (Sunday) in the presence of Dr Marilyn Roberts, Provost, Dr Abdel Mohsen Onsy, Associate Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Maitha Al Ali, Executive Director of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness and Chief Innovation Officer, Sadiq AlMulla, Chief Administration and Finance Officer, as well as various academic and administrative staff and a large number of students.

More than 80 groundbreaking projects were displayed in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses that reflected the spirit of innovation with hundreds of innovators, academics, and students came together to exchange and showcase new ideas in order to prepare the UAE for the challenges of the future and promote knowledge and culture of excellence for next generations and for the progress of the country.

As part of Zayed University’s Innovation Week 2016, the Office of Graduate Studies hosted a lecture on strategic graduate enrollment management (SGEM), which was delivered by Dr Tom Green, Associate Executive Director, Consulting and SEM, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) in Abu Dhabi campus.

Dr Green’s presentation introduced deans of colleges and faculty members at Zayed University to the basics, benefits, and anticipated enrollment growth and the role of faculty in SGEM.

The female promenade also saw the latest real time rendering engine technology that was displayed by the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE). Using this technology, students will display their work building virtual worlds and interactive spaces. These spaces can be explored on traditional displays, or for a fully immersive experience, using virtual reality headsets.

Guests were also able to see demonstrations of how CACE uses technology to bridge the different creative disciplines; product packaging designed in one course is then turned into digital 3D models in another course, and can be viewed in virtual reality using a mobile phone.

Professor AlMehaideb praised innovative projects that were displayed by faculty members and students saying: “Zayed University has always been committed to discover students talents, encourage their innovation and creativity, and instill team spirit to create original and sustainable projects that benefit the university community and society alike. Therefore, innovation has been acknowledged as a fundamental quality and one of Zayed University’s core objectives to respond in a quick and flexible way and remain competitive in a challenging market of innovative ideas.”

The College of Humanities and Social Science also featured their ‘Digital Heritage’ project in Dubai campus, which integrates technology systems for archaeological purposes and showcases the Emirati heritage in the upmost advanced technology on national, regional, and international levels.

Developed by Stanford University’s design school, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship course taught now at the University College aims to equip the next generation of leaders in the UAE with an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. Central to the course is the process of design thinking in order to help students become creative thinkers and innovative leaders.

Therefore, the University College conducted an innovation competition in both campuses that will include the finalists from design thinking projects, who will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges to be rewarded and recognized.

About Marc Mcilhone

Marc Mcilhone is ArabBrains' Editor - sourcing news and features content and overseeing the work of the site’s contributors. Marc’s work is informed by his technical background in architecture having worked for some of the UK’s leading practices on projects within the education, healthcare and housing sectors. Marc has a particular interest in how innovators are creating sustainable solutions that have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives.
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